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Brady Henderson
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Following a sequence where their highly-regarded defensive unit permitted the Arizona Cardinals to amass 17 successive points, equalizing the score in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, the Seahawks managed to secure a 23-20 victory on Thursday night at State Farm Stadium, owing significantly to the composed demeanor exhibited by their new quarterback.
In the face of a second-and-10 situation from their own 40-yard line with only 23 seconds remaining on the clock, Sam Darnold connected with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba along the left sideline for a gain of 22 yards, effectively setting the stage for Jason Myers’ game-winning field goal from 52 yards out as time expired two plays later.
“Sam executed an impeccable throw, in all honesty,” Smith-Njigba remarked. “A back-shoulder throw. The cornerback was positioned over me, so he precisely placed the ball, making it an easy reception.”
Darnold and Smith-Njigba had previously positioned the Seahawks to potentially seal the game on their preceding drive, establishing a connection for a 36-yard gain down the right sideline on another precisely placed throw. However, Myers’ attempt at a 53-yard field goal drifted wide right, which would have elevated Seattle’s lead to 23-13, subsequently allowing Arizona to orchestrate a drive resulting in the tying touchdown.
The Seahawks initiated the subsequent drive from their own 40-yard line after Arizona’s kickoff failed to reach the end zone, and Darnold capitalized on the advantageous field position.
Similar to all Seahawks contractual agreements, the three-year, $100.5 million agreement extended to Darnold in March following the trade of Geno Smith furnishes the team with a potential exit option after a single season, thereby placing pressure on the quarterback to promptly deliver results in 2025.
And he is doing exactly that.
After successfully completing 18 of 26 pass attempts for 242 yards and a touchdown on Thursday night, Darnold now boasts five touchdowns to two interceptions while guiding Seattle to a 3-1 record.
“Sam is performing exceptionally well at this moment,” coach Mike Macdonald stated. “He displays remarkable composure. He is a man on a mission, determined for us to evolve into a great team and a great offensive unit, and he is effectively leading us in that direction.”
One of the particularly noteworthy elements of Darnold’s inaugural season in Seattle has been his capability to evade pressure and generate significant plays while in motion, a skill he demonstrated once more against Arizona.
Late in the second quarter, he located rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo for a 32-yard gain while scrambling to his right. On the ensuing play, he identified an open area of turf on a bootleg and subsequently rushed for 24 yards.
These two plays established the Seahawks for a Zach Charbonnet touchdown run, which elevated their lead to 14-3 at halftime.
“I am extremely pleased that he secured that reception because I believe I had 20 yards of open field in front of me,” Darnold expressed regarding his throw to Arroyo. “Therefore, I am delighted that he executed that play.”
The Seahawks’ advantage at halftime would have been greater than 11 points if not for three errors. Coby Bryant fumbled an interception back to Arizona, fellow safety Julian Love dropped an easy interception attempt, and running back Kenneth Walker III incurred a taunting penalty, pushing Seattle out of field goal range.
The Seahawks were nonetheless in complete control until Arizona orchestrated a comeback, driving for touchdowns on successive possessions in the fourth quarter, ultimately necessitating the late-game heroics.
The Seahawks encountered a similar opportunity in their season opener, during which Darnold’s 40-yard completion to Smith-Njigba advanced them into the red zone against the San Francisco 49ers. However, the game concluded when Nick Bosa strip-sacked Darnold and recovered the fumble.
“He exhibits comfort in those crucial moments,” Darnold stated regarding Smith-Njigba, his premier receiver. “He demonstrated that ability even in the San Francisco game. Although we did not accomplish our objective in that initial contest, he showcased his capacity for significant plays not only in two-minute situations but throughout the game. We possess a rapport that fosters mutual trust in various routes, understanding leverage, and related aspects.”
Smith-Njigba ranked second in the NFL with 323 receiving yards across the initial three games, representing the most productive start to a season in franchise history. He did not record a reception on Thursday night until late in the third quarter before exhibiting a surge in performance during the fourth. He concluded the game with 79 yards on four receptions.
“Jax is undeniably one of the premier receivers in the league,” Love stated. “There is a need for greater recognition of his capabilities. He is exceptionally talented.”
Macdonald indicated that Seattle’s sideline exhibited minimal doubt regarding Myers’ ability to convert the game-winning kick, despite his prior miss on the preceding drive.
“I engaged in a round of golf with him during the offseason, and he maintains the same mentality on the golf course,” Darnold stated regarding Myers, a single-digit handicap golfer. “He may execute a poor shot, but he invariably rebounds and strikes the next shot with precision. He possesses that mindset. He experiences frustration when he fails to convert a kick, but he subsequently returns and executes the next attempt almost flawlessly.”
Darnold’s Pro Bowl-caliber season with the Minnesota Vikings culminated at State Farm Stadium, which served as the venue for their wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams due to the wildfires in Southern California. He endured nine sacks in the loss and subsequently entered free agency after Minnesota opted against utilizing the franchise tag to retain him.
“It was simply another game,” Darnold commented. “While it transpired in the same stadium, it was Week 4, and we performed effectively today. However, there are several areas that require refinement. I intend to enjoy the upcoming three-day respite and watch some Ryder Cup coverage. I anticipate being able to rest and recuperate in preparation for the following week.”
